‘I Don’t Need Any Position to Mobilise for Tinubu’ — Wike Denies Lobbying for APC Campaign DG

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied reports that he is lobbying to become the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 election.

Reports had emerged that Wike was among APC chieftains seeking the campaign DG position as the party prepares for the next presidential election.

However, in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike dismissed the reports.

The former Rivers State governor said he did not need to occupy any position in the President’s campaign structure to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu.

Wike said he was currently outside Nigeria, taking a break after spending more than 30 days commissioning projects, flagging off new ones and inspecting ongoing projects, particularly those scheduled for commissioning in December and January.

He said that upon his return, his focus would remain on delivering the administration’s mandate under the Renewed Hope Agenda and improving Tinubu’s electoral prospects in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.

“I do not need to be the DG or even a member of the Presidential Campaign Council of Mr President’s political party to contribute my quota by ensuring that he wins handsomely in Rivers State and the FCT,” Wike said.

Wike’s relationship with Tinubu has strengthened since the President appointed him FCT Minister in August 2023, despite Wike remaining a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

The President has repeatedly commended Wike for his efforts on infrastructure development in Abuja.

The latest comments come amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with parties and political figures already positioning themselves for the campaigns.

Wike’s statement suggests that he intends to support Tinubu’s re-election bid without necessarily seeking a formal leadership role in the President’s campaign organisation.